What You Can Ask For When Your Flight or Train Is Delayed, Cancelled, or Oversold

What travel compensation covers and who owes it to you

Travel compensation is money or a replacement service that a carrier — airline, train, or bus company — must provide when they cause a delay, cancellation, or overbooking. The carrier owes it to you, not an insurance company or a government agency. What you can ask for depends on the type of carrier, how long the delay was, the distance traveled, and which country's rules apply to your trip.

In the United States, airline compensation is governed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). For flights within, to, or from the U.S., you may be owed cash compensation if the airline oversells the flight and you are bumped, or if the airline cancels and does not rebook you on the next available flight. Train and bus compensation varies by operator and is less standardized than airline rules.

The key difference: the carrier must pay you directly. You do not file a claim with a government office. You contact the airline, train company, or bus operator, provide proof of your ticket and the disruption, and request compensation under the rules that apply to your route.

Key Takeaways

• Airlines must pay cash compensation for overselling if you are bumped, or for cancellations if they do not rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost.
• Compensation amounts depend on the flight distance and how late you arrive at your final destination, ranging from $400 to $1,350 for domestic U.S. flights under DOT rules.
• You must contact the airline directly within a set timeframe — usually 30 to 60 days — to request compensation; the airline does not automatically offer it.
• International flights and non-airline carriers (trains, buses) follow different rules, so the compensation available to you depends on which carrier operated your trip and where it traveled.
• Keep your ticket confirmation, boarding pass, and any receipts for meals or hotels you paid for during the disruption, as carriers may ask for proof.

Airline compensation for overbooking and bumping

When an airline sells more tickets than seats on a flight, they overbook. If the flight is full and you are selected to give up your seat, you are bumped. The airline must first ask for volunteers and offer them compensation. If not enough people volunteer, the airline can bump passengers involuntarily.

Under DOT rules, if you are bumped and the airline does not rebook you on another flight that gets you to your destination within one hour of your original arrival time, you are owed cash compensation. For domestic flights, the amount is either 200% or 400% of your one-way ticket price, up to $650 or $1,350. The exact amount depends on how late you arrive. If you arrive more than two hours late, the compensation is 400% of your ticket (capped at $1,350). If you arrive one to two hours late, it is 200% (capped at $650).

The airline may offer you a travel credit or voucher instead of cash. You can refuse it and demand cash compensation. If the airline does not pay you at the airport or within a set timeframe, you can file a complaint with the DOT or pursue the claim in small claims court.

Airline compensation for cancellations and long delays

If an airline cancels your flight, they must rebook you on the next available flight to your destination at no extra cost. If they cannot do that, they must offer you a refund of your ticket price. This is not compensation — it is your money back.

Compensation for a cancellation is separate. You are owed cash compensation only if the airline cancels the flight and does not rebook you within one hour of your original departure time. The amount is the same as for bumping: 200% or 400% of your one-way ticket price, depending on how late you arrive, capped at $650 or $1,350.

Long delays — flights that depart but arrive very late — are treated differently. The DOT does not require airlines to pay compensation for delays caused by weather, mechanical problems, or other circumstances beyond the airline's control. However, some airlines have their own policies. Check your airline's website or your ticket terms for what they offer for delays of six hours or more.

International flight compensation under EU and other rules

If your flight departs from the European Union, arrives in the EU, or is operated by an EU airline, EU Regulation 261/2004 applies. This rule is stricter than U.S. law. You may be owed compensation of €250 to €600 (roughly $270 to $650) for cancellations and long delays, even if the airline rebooks you, depending on the flight distance and the reason for the disruption.

Compensation under EU rules is not owed if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances — severe weather, air traffic control strikes, or security threats — that the airline could not have prevented. However, mechanical failures and crew problems are not considered extraordinary circumstances, so you may still be owed compensation.

Other countries have their own rules. Canada requires compensation for overselling and some cancellations. Australia has compensation rules for domestic flights. If your flight involves a non-U.S. or non-EU carrier, check the aviation authority of the country where the flight departs or arrives to learn what rules apply.

Train and bus compensation

Train and bus operators in the U.S. do not have a single federal compensation rule like airlines do. Amtrak, regional rail operators, and bus companies each set their own policies. Some offer refunds for cancellations or long delays; others offer travel credits or vouchers. A few offer cash compensation, but it is not required by law.

Check your ticket or the operator's website for their delay and cancellation policy before you travel. If you experience a significant delay or cancellation, contact the operator's customer service with your ticket number and ask what compensation or refund they offer. Keep records of the delay — a photo of the departure board, a timestamp from your phone, or a receipt for meals you bought during the wait.

If the operator refuses to compensate you and you believe you have a valid claim, you can pursue it in small claims court or file a complaint with your state's attorney general or consumer protection office.

How to request compensation from a carrier

Do not wait for the airline or carrier to contact you. You must initiate the claim. Start by gathering your documents: your ticket confirmation (usually an email with a confirmation number), your boarding pass, and any receipts for expenses you incurred because of the disruption — meals, hotels, ground transportation.

Contact the airline or carrier directly. Most airlines have a customer relations or compensation department. You can find the contact information on their website, usually under "Contact Us" or "Customer Service." Write a clear, factual letter or email stating the date of your flight, your confirmation number, what happened (cancellation, delay, or bumping), and which rule you believe entitles you to compensation (DOT, EU 261/2004, or the carrier's own policy). Attach copies of your documents.

The carrier has a timeframe to respond — usually 30 to 60 days. If they deny your claim or do not respond, you can escalate by filing a complaint with the DOT (for U.S. airlines), the European Commission (for EU flights), or your state's attorney general. You can also file a claim in small claims court if the amount is within your state's limit, usually $5,000 to $10,000.

What compensation does not cover

Compensation under DOT rules or EU 261/2004 is a fixed amount based on the distance and delay. It is not meant to reimburse every expense you incurred. If you paid for a hotel because your flight was cancelled, the compensation amount does not automatically cover that cost. However, you can ask the carrier to reimburse reasonable expenses — meals, lodging, ground transportation — that were necessary because of the disruption. This is separate from compensation and requires you to provide receipts.

Compensation also does not cover lost wages, missed events, or emotional distress. Some carriers may offer additional compensation or gesture payments if you have a strong case or if the disruption was particularly severe, but this is at their discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to accept a travel voucher instead of cash compensation?

No. If you are owed cash compensation under DOT rules or EU 261/2004, you can refuse a voucher or travel credit and demand cash. The airline cannot force you to accept a voucher. However, if the airline offers you a refund of your ticket price (which is your money, not compensation), you may choose to accept a voucher instead if you prefer.

What if the airline says the delay was caused by weather?

Under DOT rules, airlines are not required to pay compensation for delays or cancellations caused by weather, mechanical problems, or other circumstances beyond their control. However, they must still rebook you or refund your ticket. Under EU 261/2004, weather is considered an extraordinary circumstance, but mechanical failures are not — so you may still be owed compensation for a mechanical delay even if the airline says it was unavoidable.

How long do I have to request compensation?

There is no single deadline set by the DOT, but most airlines require you to file a claim within 30 to 60 days of the disruption. Check your airline's policy or contact them to confirm the deadline. If you miss the airline's deadline, you may still file a complaint with the DOT or pursue a claim in small claims court, though the statute of limitations varies by state.

Can I hire a company to claim compensation for me?

Yes. Third-party claim companies will file a compensation claim on your behalf and take a percentage of what you receive, usually 25% to 50%. This is legal, but you should understand that you are paying a fee. If the amount owed is small, the fee may outweigh the benefit. For larger claims or if you do not want to handle it yourself, a claim company may be worth it.

What if I booked through a travel agent or online travel site?

The compensation is owed by the airline or carrier, not by the travel agent or booking site. Contact the airline directly with your ticket confirmation number. If the airline refuses to pay and you booked through a third party, you can also file a chargeback with your credit card company if you paid by card.